Water softener for supply lines



y 1963 E. J. HOLDEMAN ETAL 3,099,233

WATER SOFTENER FOR SUPPLY LINES Filed Jan. 3, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS EUGENE. J1 HOLDEMAN; DONALD A. BURKHOLDEE ATTORNEYS July 30, 1963 E. J. HOLDEMAN ETAL WATER SOFTENER Filed Jan. 3, 1962 FOR SUPPLY LINES 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 W [Ill/110$ VII EUG-EN E INVENTORS/ I. HOLDEMAN DONALD A. BUEKHOLDEE ATTOIZN EYS United States Patent 3,(i9,283 WATER SOFTENER FOR SUPPLY LINES Eugene J. Holdernan, 1419 Demeter Drive, and Donald A. Burlrholder, 57 Eim Court, both of Freeport, Ill. Fiied Jan. 3, 1962, Ser. No. 164,112 6 Claims. (61. 137-111) This invention relates to a conditioning device for liquids, and in particular to a water softenrng dev ce for attachment in water supply lines. As conventionally practiced, water softening is an expensive and demanding task, requiring voluminous equipment, and attended with considerable messiness and indifferent results.

It is therefore a general object of the present invention to simplify water softening procedures, especially in connection with domestic application. More particularly, it is an object to provide a water softening apparatus which occupies relatively small space, is of minim zed complexity, and is easily adapted to standard, existing, water lines. In still greater particular, it is an ob ect to provide an auxiliary dispenser for a softening agent, which is self-metering, in response to current flow 1n the main fluid-supply line.

These and other ends, which will be apparent, are attained by the present invention which, in a preferred form, may be briefly described as comprising a T fittlng, with a cross arm adapted for insertion in a main fluid line, and a leg adapted to receive a container for a softening agent, the fitting having a valve communicating with the container, and controlled by a bell crank lever having a pressure-actuated vane located in the main stream from the fluid supply line through the fitting.

For a more detailed description of the invention, reference is made to the following specification, as illustrated in the drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the fitting comprising the valve housing and the softening agent reservoir,

FIGURE ,2 is an exploded, perspective view of sections from the upper, vertical leg of FIGURE 1, showing details of the valve,

FIGURE 3 is an axial, sectional view through the fitting of FIGURE 1, as seen along the plane of line 3-3 of FIGURE 1,

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of FIGURE 3, looking upward at the valve structure,

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary view, on enlarged scale, showing the valve details of FIGURE 3,

FIGURE 6 is a view similar to FIGURE 5, showing a modified valve, and

FIGURE 7 is an elevational view, partly in axial section, of a modified fitting.

Referring to the drawings by characters of reference, there is shown, in FIGURE 1, a T-form pipe fitting, with a cross arm 10, having externally threaded ends 12, 14, for coupling in a fluid supply line 16, 18, shown in broken lines in FIGURE 3, and the fitting having a short leg 20, with internal threads 22, receiving the threaded, reduced, lower end 24 of a solid cylindrical plug 26, which carries the total valve mechanism. A metallic, cylindrical container, or bottle, 28, having a threaded, lower neck 30, received in an internally threaded cavity 32 in the upper end of plug 26, serves as a reservoir for the fluid softening agent 34. The latter, which may comprise any suitable chemical, the particular composition of which forms no part of the present invention, is preferably of a type which is readily soluble in water, or assimilable therewith, in some manner, in all proportions.

Prior to attachment of bottle 28 to the system, the fluid contents are retained by a closure diaphragm 36. During the act of screwing the bottle into place, the diaphragm is ruptured by the sharp, upper edge 38 of a 3,fi99,283- Patented July 30, 1963 "ice tubular nipple 40, which is threadedly attached in the top face of plug 26, co-axially with a small bore 42 in the plug, through which fluid from the container is fed by gravity into the chamber of the part 10 of the fitting. During attachment of the bottle, the edge 38 of the nipple acts like a can opener, after first deflecting the diaphragm inwardly. Alternatively, the nipple may be located on the axis of the plug, and have a pointed, conical tip, in which case only a small hole is punctured in the diaphragm. This will require a slant in the bore 42.

To permit outflow of fluid 34 the bottle 28 threadedly carries a plug 43 having an axial bore 44:, and a threaded, exterior nipple 45 to receive a closure cap.

At its lower end, bore 42 has a counterbore 46-, which opens in the lower face of plug 26, and houses the valve. The valve seat is contained in a cup-form nipple 48, having external threads 50 which engage corresponding, internal threads in the counterbore 46. The bottom 52 of nipple 48 has a restricted, central bore 54, and on the inner side of bottom 52, concentric about bore 54, is a frusto-spherical cavity 56, constituting a valve seat. The valve plunger comprises a cylindrical plug 58, slidable in a loose-mounting in the passage in cup 48, and having, on its upper end, a central, frusto-spherical projection 60, preferably of rubbery material, which is sized to seat in the cavity 56.

The valve plunger is actuated by a bell crank lever which is swingabl-e on a pin 62, carried by a boss 64, depending from the lower part of plug 26. Boss 64 is generally frustoconical in form, but is truncated by a cutaway portion, providing a domed cavity 66, so that the actual substance of the boss is offset with respect to the axis of plug 26. The lower part of the boss has a channel 68, which renders the lower part of the boss bifurcate, and aligned bores 70, 72 in the boss transverse to the channel, serve to carry the pivot pin 62. The bell crank lever has a hub 74, mounted on pin 62 within channel 68, and a pair of radial arms, 76 and 78, disposed at an angle, in the form shown. Arm 76 has an outer, end portion 86), bent at an obtuse angle, to which is attached a paddle foot 82, with a bent, outer end 84. Foot 82 carries a fork bracket 36, mounting a pin 88, to which latter is pivoted a link 90, the other end of which is pivoted on a pin 92, carried by a fork bracket 94, depending from the lower face of valve plunger 58. The other arm, 78, of the bell crank lever extends downwardly, so as to lie athwart the stream of fluid through the supply line and be swung thereby, in proportion to current velocity. To increase the resistance arm 78 to the fluid stream, it is provided, on its outer end, with an enlarged head, vane, or paddle, 96. The valve plunger is normally kept in seated relation, during a condition of nonflow in the supply line, by means of a coil spring 98, having one bent leg 10% engaging the under side of lever arm 76, and another bent leg 162 engaging the boss 64. Closing of the plunger is also assisted by fluid pressure on paddle 82. This paddle also serves to modify the action of the current on the arm 76 at higher velocities.

The domed, cut-away portion 66 of the boss 64 is intended to provide a path for the smooth, gradual, and thorough mixing of the softening agent with the water, and in furtherance of this end, as well as to protect the valve plunger and associated parts against excessive current pressures, the plug 26 is provided with a downwardly depending, cylindrical baffle 1%, arranged upstream from the valve plunger and its link 90. The mixing is alsoassisted by inwardly extending annular rings 195, on the inner wall of chamber 10, downstream from the valve.

The operation will be obvious from the foregoing description. Assuming the container, bearing the softening agent, in place on the fitting, and in communication with bore 36 and the valve, if flow of fluid through the supply line 16 is commenced, as by turning on a faucet, the fluid current will encounter resistance at paddle as, and cause the bell crank to turn on its axis of swing, by an amount depending upon the current velocity. With the current in the direction of the arrows shown in FIG- URES 3 and 5, the bell crank will swing counterclockwise, and thus lower the valve plunger, removing projection 69 from the valve seat, and permitting the softening agent 34 to flow past the plunger and into the mixing chamber ll). Here, it is subjected to a turbulence, due to the diversion of the main stream by bafiie lib i, and the flow characteristics engendered by the domed cavity 66, which makes for thorough mixing in a minimum of space and time. Since the rate of feed or softening agent is dependent upon the extent to which the plunger is contained within the valve cup, the rate will be at all times controlled by the instantaneous value of the velocity of the main fluid, which governs the degree of swing of the bell crank, against the bias of spring 98. This metering will, of course, also depend upon the amount of clearance between the plunger and the wall of the valve cup, which clearance has been shown as somewhat exaggerated in the drawings, for emphasis in illustration. As the paddle $6 is actuated, the paddle 82 is also efifected, in varying degree, by the current, and this constitutes a stabilizing influence against sudden surges of current. Upon cessation of current flow, the valve is returned to closed position, by spring d3, cutting ofl the entry of conditioning fluid 34, and this action is assisted by the residual pressure in the line, acting on paddle 82.

In FIGURE 6 is shown a modified valve arrangement, wherein the parts are the same as previously described, except that the cup 4 -3 is replaced by a tubular nipple 1%, screwed to a press fit against a washer llld of rubbery material, having a frusto-conical opening 11%, which constitutes a seat for the pointed, conical end 112 of a plunger 114.

The action described thus far presupposes a simple gravity feed from the container 23. if desired, the mixing may be aided by auxiliary pressure, either by means provided for within the container at the time of filling or refilling, or by a separate source of pressure. For the latter case, the nipple 45 of the vent plug may be employed for attachment of a pressure line 122.

In FIGURE 7 is shown a modified fitting, which is adapted for attachment to a vertically disposed supply line. Here, the parts are identical with those previously described, except that the plug 124, which is functionally equivalent to plug 26, has an elbow form, so that the container 28 has the required, upright position. The plug bore 126 is also shown as having a similar elbow form, but a straight bore, in whole or in part, would also serve the purpose. It is also possible to mount a separate, solid plug in each end of a pipe elbow, and provide a section of tubing between the two.

While certain, preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, various modifications will be apparent, in the light of this disclosure, and the invention should not, therefore, be considered as limited by specific showing, but only insofar as shall appear from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A fluid-conditioning unit for attachment in fluid supply lines, comprising a T fitting having a cross arm adapted for insertion in the line, and constituting a mixing chamber, and a leg extending transversely from said arm, a container for a conditioning agent carried by the outer end of said leg, said leg having a passage communicating between said container and said chamber, said passage having a counterbore adjacent said chamber, a cup threadedly secured in said counterbore, With bottom innermost, and said bottom having an opening with an internal, curved seat, a plunger loosely mounted in said cup, for sliding movement, and having a resilient head adapted to engage said seat, a bell crank lever journalled in said leg, on an axis transverse to the axis of said chamber, and lying within said chamber, one arm of said lever arranged generally transversely of said chamber and having a paddle at its outer end, the other arm of said lever arranged generally longitudinally of said chamher, and having a paddle at its outer end, a link pivoted at one end to said latter paddle, and at the other end to said plunger, spring means on said lever, biasing said plunger to seated position and a cylindrical baiiie carried by said leg and extending into said chamber, adjacent said cup, and on the side thereof opposite the axis of swing of said lever.

2. In a device as in claim 1, a fitting on said container for attachment of a pressure line.

3. A fluid-conditioning unit for attachment in fluid supply lines, comprising a T fitting having a cross arm insertion in the line, and constituting a mixing chamber, and a leg extending transversely from said arm, a container for a conditioning agent carried by the outer end of said leg, said leg having a passage communicating between said container and said chamber, said passage having a counterbore adjacent said chamber, a sleeve threadedly secured in said counterbore, a resilient washer with an opening having a valve seat, secured in said counterbore by said sleeve, a plunger loosely mounted in said sleeve and having a tapered end adapted to engage said seat, a bell crank lever journalled in said leg, on an axis transverse to the axis of said chamber, and lying within said chamber, one arm of said lever arranged generally transversely of said chamber and having a paddle at its outer end, the other arm of said lever arranged generally longitudinally of said chamber, and having a paddle at its outer end, a link pivoted at one end to said latter paddle, and at the other end to said plunger, spring means on said lever, biasing said plunger to seated position and a cylindrical name carried by said leg and extendin into said chamber, adjacent said cup, and on the side thereof opposite the axis of swing of said lever.

4. A fluid-conditioning unit for attachment in fluid supply lines, comprising a T fitting having a cross arm adapted for insertion in the line, and constituting a mixing chamber, and a leg extending transversely from said arm, a container for a conditioning agent carried by the outer end of said leg, said leg havin a passage communicating between said container and said chamber, said passage having a counterbore adjacent said chamber, means including a valve seat secured in said counterbore, a plunger loosely mounted in said counterbore, and having a tapered end adapted to engage said seat, a bell crank lever iournalled in said leg, on an axis transverse to the axis of said chamber, and lying within said chamber, one arm of said lever arranged generally transversely of said chamber and having a paddle at its outer end, the other arm of said lever arranged generally longitudinally of said chamber, a link pivoted at one end to said other arm, and at the other end to said plunger, spring means on said lever, biasing said plunger to seated position, and a cylindrical baflle carried by said leg and extending into said chamber, adjacent said cup, and on the side thereof opposite the axis of swing of said lever.

5. A fluid-conditioning unit for attachment in fluid supply lines, comprising a T fitting having a cross arm adapted for insertion in the line, and constituting a mixing chamber, and a leg extending transversely from said arm, a container for a conditioning agent carried by the outer end of said leg, said leg having a passage communicating between said container and said chamber, said passage having a counterbore adjacent said chamber, means including a valve seat secured in said countcrbore, a plunger loosely mounted in said counterbore, and having a tapered end adapted to engage said seat, a bell crank lever journalled in said leg, on an axis transverse to the axis of said chamber, and lying within said chamber, one

rm of said lever arranged generally transversely of said chamber and having a paddle at its outer end, the other arm of said lever arranged generally longitudinally of said chamber, a link pivoted at one end to said other arm, and at the other end to said plunger, spring means on said lever, biasing said plunger to seated position, and a baffle carried by said leg and extending into said chamber, adjacent said cup, and on the side thereof opposite the axis of swing of said lever.

6. A fluid-conditioning unit for attachment in fluid supply lines, comprising a T fitting having a cross arm adapted for insertion in the line, and constituting a mixing chamber, and a leg extending transversely from said arm, a container for a conditioning agent carried by the outer end of said leg, said leg having a passage communicating between said container and said chamber, said passage having a counterbore adjacent said chamber, means including a valve seat secured in said counterbore, a plunger loosely mounted in said sleeve and having a tapered end adapted to engage said seat, a bell crank lever journalled in said leg, on an axis transverse to the axis of said chamber, and lying Within said chamber, one arm of said lever arranged generally transversely of said chamber and having a paddle at its outer end, the other arm of said lever arranged generally longitudinaly of said chamber, a link pivoted at one end to said other arm, and at the other end to said plunger, spring means on said lever, biasing said plunger to seated position, and a =bafile carried by said leg and extending into said chamber, adjacent 10 said cup.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

1. A FLUID-CONDITIONING UNIT FOR ATTACHMENT IN FLUID SUPPLY LINES, COMPRISING A T FITTING HAVING A CROSS ARM ADAPTED FOR INSERTION IN THE LINE, AND CONSTITUTING A MIXING CHAMBER, AND A LEG EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY FROM SAID ARM, A CONTAINER FOR A CONDITIONING AGENT CARRIED BY THE OUTER END OF SAID LEG, SAID LEG HAVING A PASSAGE COMMUNICATING BETWEEN SAID CONTAINER AND SAID CHAMBER, SAID PASSAGE HAVING A COUNTERBORE ADJACENT SAID CHAMBER, A CUP THREADEDLY SECURED IN SAID COUNTERBORE, WITH BOTTOM INNERMOST, AND SAID BOTTOM HAVING AN OPENING WITH AN INTERNAL, CURVED SEAT, A PLUNGER LOOSELY MOUNTED IN SAID CUP, FOR SLIDING MOVEMENT, AND HAVING A RESILIENT HEAD ADAPTED TO ENGAGE SAID SEAT, A BELL CRANK LEVER JOURNALLY IN SAID LEG, ON AN AXIS TRANSVERSE TO THE AXIS OF SAID CHAMBER, AND LYING WITHIN SAID CHAMBER, ONE ARM OF SAID LEVER ARRANGED GENERALLY TRANSVERSELY OF SAID CHAMBER AND HAVING A PADDLE AT ITS OUTER END, THE OTHER ARM OF SAID LEVER ARRANGED GENERALLY LONGITUDINALLY OF SAID CHAMBER, AND HAVING A PADDLE AT ITS OUTER END, A LINK PIVOTED AT ONE END TO SAID LATTER PADDLE, AND AT THE OTHER END TO SAID PLUNGER, SPRING MEANS ON SAID LEVER, BIASING SAID PLUNGER TO SEATED POSITION AND A CYLINDRICAL BAFFLE CARRIED BY SAID LEG AND EXTENDING INTO SAID CHAMBER, ADJACENT SAID CUP, AND ON THE SIDE THEREOF OPPOSITE THE AXIS OF SWING OF SAID LEVER. 